TWU Commencement Program Fall 2023
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A Brief Guide to <strong>TWU</strong> <strong>Commencement</strong><br />
<strong>Commencement</strong> celebrates the culmination of a student’s education at <strong>TWU</strong>. Each university has its own symbols and<br />
traditions that are part of the commencement experience. Here is some information to help you enjoy <strong>TWU</strong>’s unique<br />
commencement ceremony.<br />
<strong>TWU</strong> Symbols<br />
u The Seal of the University – The official seal of Texas Woman’s University is used on all formal<br />
documents, such as the degrees awarded by the institution. The seal appears on the academic banners<br />
for the colleges of the university that adorn the commencement platform. The design of the seal<br />
incorporates the star, which represents the State of Texas, and the university motto, Scientia Lumen<br />
Vitae, which means “Knowledge Illumines Life.”<br />
u The Mace of the University – The mace is carried at all formal university ceremonies, such as<br />
commencement. Today, the provost carries the mace down the aisle leading the academic procession.<br />
Designed and handmade in 1977 by Alfred E. Green, associate professor of art, the mace is a symbol<br />
of the spirit and nature of the university. The mace is a staff of rare vermillion wood topped with<br />
a silver sphere banded by ivory. The silver sphere is repeated at the base, and a gold seal of the<br />
university is embedded in the shaft.<br />
<strong>TWU</strong> Academic Regalia<br />
u The President’s Medallion – The medallion worn by the chancellor and president bears the seal<br />
of the university on its face and the names of the university’s presidents on the reverse. Encircling the<br />
presidents’ names are the four names by which Texas Woman’s University has been known since its<br />
founding in 1901. In 2003, Ingrid Psuty, M.F.A., created the medallion and chain of fine silver and<br />
burgundy enamel.<br />
u The edging of velvet on the master’s and doctoral hoods<br />
indicates the degree received:<br />
White Master of Arts (M.A.)<br />
Drab Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)<br />
Light Blue Master of Education (M.Ed.)<br />
Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)<br />
Brown Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)<br />
Kelly Green Master of Healthcare Administration (M.H.A.)<br />
Master of Health Systems Management<br />
(M.H.S.M.)<br />
Lemon Master of Library Science (M.L.S.)<br />
Master of Music Therapy (M.M.T.)<br />
Salmon Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)<br />
Citron Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)<br />
Gold Master of Science (M.S.)<br />
Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.)<br />
Professional Science Master’s (P.S.M.)<br />
Specialist in School Psychology (S.S.P.)<br />
Blue Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)<br />
Apricot Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)<br />
Slate Blue Doctor of Occupational Therapy (O.T.D.)<br />
Teal Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.)<br />
u <strong>TWU</strong> students participating in commencement wear varied<br />
cords and sashes symbolizing their affiliations with honor<br />
societies and student organizations. For example, the red,<br />
white and blue honor cords worn today by graduating<br />
veterans and active military symbolize our recognition of<br />
their accomplishments and appreciation for their service.<br />
<strong>Commencement</strong> Ceremony <strong>Fall</strong> <strong>2023</strong> u 3
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